Stanford has 2 huge holes to fill on offensive line

STANFORD FOOTBALL

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, April 7, 2012

When center Sam Schwartzstein was a freshman four years ago, he weighed 265 pounds. He's up to 290 now, although that makes him the runt of Stanford's offensive line.

It would have been very tough for him to start as a freshman, and not just in terms of size, he said, because there's a lot to learn for a newcomer.

The issue of how ready a freshman can be to play right away is germane to a discussion of the 2012 offensive line because as many as two freshmen might make immediate impacts. The obvious candidates are tackle Andrus Peat and guard Joshua Garnett, but tackle Kyle Murphy could be another possibility from an excellent group of incoming O-linemen.

"There's a lot of stuff in our offense that can be difficult for a freshman," Schwartzstein said. "But if a freshman is willing and has the talent and the correct mind-set, he can get it done. It takes a hungry and passionate player to be able to do it."

The freshmen won't be here for months. In the meantime, offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren is busy auditioning players in spring practice for the two gaping holes left by the departures of All-Americans David DeCastro and Jonathan Martin.

The line has been a very strong area for the Cardinal in recent years. Last year's team allowed just 11 sacks, one of the best marks in the nation. The line has allowed just 24 over the last three years. Over that span, it has created the holes for the top three rushing totals in school history.

Bloomgren said the veterans don't need to be reminded that there's talent lurking in the wings. "These guys know it," he said. "I don't think they need anything else to motivate them. But they know how talented the guys coming in behind them are. I'm not going to say they're scared, but they're going to try to solidify their positions this spring while they can."

The holdover starters - Schwartzstein, left guard David Yankey and right tackle Cameron Fleming - seem likely to keep their jobs. The other two spots could be subject to a friendly takeover by a freshman, although the coaches love what they're seeing in the right guard duel between ex-center Khalil Wilkes and Kevin Danser.

"That competition has been the absolute bright spot of spring," Bloomgren said.

If actor Matt Damon were 6-foot-6 and approaching 300 pounds, he'd probably look a lot like Danser, a Saratoga native who went to Bellarmine College Prep.

He has bounced around nearly all the offensive line positions but may have found a home in DeCastro's old spot. The no-doubt first-round draft pick was a terrific role model, he said.

"You could watch him do something and say, 'I can put that in my toolbox,' " Danser said. "That's someone who was dominating out there."

At Martin's former left tackle spot, upcoming sophomore Cole Underwood has been competing with redshirt freshman Brendon Austin, who was injured during the first spring session but is back for the second.

What about the freshmen? "The whole time during the recruiting process, all we promised those guys was an opportunity," Bloomgren said. "We'll give it to them because that's one thing we're committed to doing: playing the best people. ... Do they have ability? Absolutely. Those are the best (incoming) tackles in America."

Head coach David Shaw calls the offensive line performance so far "solid - I wouldn't say stellar yet. Yankey and Fleming have been outstanding. Sammy Schwartzstein has been great."

At the other spots, he said, "Two young guys are going to get a shot at, if not starting, then at least significant time."

Briefly: Saturday's practice from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. is the final open practice of the spring. Next Saturday's spring game kicks off at 2 p.m. at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.

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